BURLINGTON, Mass., Oct. 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exa Corporation (NASDAQ:EXA), a leading innovator of simulation software for product engineering, has revealed that its PowerFLOW® simulation tool was used to test and develop the aerodynamic characteristics of the Chrysler 200, helping FCA US LLC achieve a 0.27 drag co-efficient through a large number of design iteration simulations that would have been impractical and costly to do in a wind tunnel.

"We used Exa PowerFLOW to optimize aerodynamic design from day one on the Chrysler 200," said Dr. Kumar Srinivasan, FCA US Manager, Vehicle CFD Group, Aero/Thermal Development. "We chose Exa's PowerFLOW simulation platform to optimize the vehicle's aerodynamics. We were able to capture more data than ever before, run more tests and analyze more variations long before the first prototype of the vehicle was produced."

Particular efforts were spent on developing the underbody, rear section of the car and the mirrors for aerodynamic optimization. PowerFLOW was used to identify what areas would yield the greatest return on reduction of aerodynamic drag.

"Exa is deployed within automakers around the world, placing simulation at the heart of the automotive design process – influencing the vehicle design even as it is being conceived. This enables our customers to make more informed decisions, manage risks, reduce costs, shorten engineering timelines and ultimately deliver better vehicles to the market, like the Chrysler 200," remarked Stephen Remondi, President and CEO of Exa.

Exa was part of the FCA display on vehicle development at the 2015 SAE World Congress. The experience demonstrated how PowerFLOW can simulate and analyze key development metrics that are impossible to capture in a wind tunnel, such as airflow on the inside of the wheel and tire package, detailed understanding of flow behavior in the underbody, and the effects of subtle changes to the vehicle A-pillar shape, mirror, etc. "We were pleased to support FCA at the SAE World Congress this year, showcasing their PowerFLOW-optimized Chrysler 200 in their 'Aerodynamic Experience' booth," said Dwight Pugsley, Exa's Director of North American Automotive Sales. "FCA US is at the forefront of incorporating cutting-edge aerodynamic and aero-acoustic engineering simulations into their product development process and we look forward to their innovative and efficient designs of the future."

Exa Corporation's visualization and simulation software helps designers and engineers produce better vehicles and equipment. As a design evolves, Exa accurately predicts the performance of that design while providing actionable insight to optimize the performance of the product. With Exa, the need for costly physical prototypes and expensive late-stage changes is reduced. Now, designers and engineers are freed from the risk of producing compromised products that do not meet market and regulatory requirements. Some of the most successful product companies in the world use Exa, including BMW, Delphi, Denso, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, Hino, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kenworth, Komatsu, MAN, Nissan, Peterbilt, Peugeot, Renault, Scania, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Trucks.